Chicago Bulls legend Dennis Rodman has recalled a wild series of events that took place on the night before a crucial NBA Finals game against the Seattle Supersonics in 1996 – and it sums him up to a tee.
Rodman was renowned for his party antics and would often let off steam ahead of a big game; even if it did get him into trouble.
It was basically his way of relieving pressure and finding a release before stepping into such an intense environment on court.
"When Dennis went to a bar, all bets were off," said former Bulls coach Phil Jackson. "He really wasn't a person that partied. But when he did, it was all out. It could be a 24-hour party. That's where we really had to watch Dennis closely, because it didn't stop at closing time."
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One such example of Rodman's wild pre-match behaviour came in 1996, on the evening before Chicago's NBA Finals game against the Seattle Supersonics.
Rodman recounts the evening in his book, Walk On The Wild Side, as he details how a casual meal took a reckless turn.
"I rounded up some of the craziest bastards I know and went to my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago, and started doing Sake Bombers the way a dying man in the desert drinks water," he began.
"We ended up at Crobar, where they have a bondage rack and men will stand there writhing in pain while voluptuous women pour burning wax onto their nipples, and people in elevated cages dry-hump each other to the beat of ear-splitting techno-house music played by a lesbian DJ named 'Psychobitch'."
Rodman recalled having breakfast at Third Coast, a so-called "great place" in the Gold Coast district, and when he walked out, the sun was shining.
"I knew I was ready for game 6," he added. "Sure enough, we went out and got solid and won."
To his credit, the man who is widely regarded as the best rebounding forwards in NBA history finished the game with nine points and 19 rebounds, as well as five assists and three steals.
Back in 2013, Michael Jordan was asked to name the best rebounder in NBA history. "Dennis [Rodman]," he said. "Come on, now. The best rebounder—one of the best rebounders in the game."
Despite his reputation as one of the more controversial players in the game, Jordan was unfazed by Rodman's behaviour off the court.
“I don't try to evaluate what Dennis Rodman is all about," said the six-time NBA Finals MVP. "Why does he change his hair color or paint his nails? As players, that shouldn't be important to us. Dennis understands winning. He has been with championship teams."
Jordan added: "With him coming to Chicago, knowing what we are, and our commitment to success, I don't think he's here to break that down and be a negative factor."
Topics: Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan, Basketball
Jack Kenmare